Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Churches and the ADA

I
was thinking of going to a midnight mass tomorrow, just 'cause I think
it would be neat. I am not Catholic but I still think I would enjoy it.

Well, I live in the middle of nowhere and there are
two Catholic churches within a reasonable driving distance that are
holding midnight mass. There are a few other Catholic churches around,
they just aren't holding midnight mass, according to their websites.

I tried to call both of the ones holding midnight mass this
afternoon to find out if I can bring my service dog, but no one was in
the office at either church. I can try again tomorrow but if I can't
reach anyone, then I just won't go. I really wish churches were
required to comply with the ADA, but since they aren't, it would come in
handy if they included information on their websites about whether or
not they do.

Of
the people I know that have service dogs and go to church, I would
guess at least 25% go to a church where they are not allowed to take
their service dog. And I know others that found a new church when their
old church told them their service dog was not welcome.

However, I also
know a couple people that were given permission to by their clergy to
bring emotional support animals to church, which are not usually allowed
in public places the way service dogs are, under the ADA. Some
churches are really, really accommodating. But others are not at all.

If you go to church (or synagogue or mosque or whatever), do you know if your place of worship would welcome someone with a service dog? If you don't know, how about finding out and letting me know?

1 comment:

I know that my church here in Ottawa, Canada allows service dogs (as well as service dogs in training) into the church. I would try to get into contact with both churches again. They usually are not in the offices until noon most days :) hope you get the information you need!